To the Editor,

As a teen, Donald Trump was sent to military boarding school by his father in an attempt to “toughen him up,” a parental decision that would turn out to have its desired effect.

So, how do I know this? From his roommate at the school, who would later marry my cousin, and from whom I heard unflattering stories about Trump’s character – which included walking around campus brandishing a cut-off broomstick to intimidate lower classmen, and pretending to still have a superior cadet rank even after it was taken away for abuse of power and privilege. And yet, oddly enough, these first-hand stories aren’t all that important to understanding Donald Trump since he's an open book to anyone who chooses to see him for what he really is – a self-absorbed braggart and bully. 

To me, the most troubling aspect of the Trump administration, aside from its stunning incompetence, is the in-your-face gloating while recklessly slashing government programs and throwing thousands of employees out of work. Elon Musk gleefully waving around a chainsaw. Tom Homan smirking about shipping off migrants without due process to an El Salvadoran dungeon. A vengeful Donald Trump going after any individual, institution or country that happens to irk him.

What kind of person acts like this? Well, apparently someone devoid of empathy or basic human compassion who's never had to deal with personal adversity or hardship – or, if they ever have, then their memories must be really short and highly selective.

 Peter Carney

Warwick RI